Virginia Jean Blackham Blad

09/10/1944 – 04/15/2019

Virginia Jean Blackham Blad, 74, of Kanosh, UT passed away April 15, 2019 in Fillmore, UT. She was born September 10, 1944 in Moroni, UT to John Howard and Bertha Jensen Blackham. She married Blaine L Blad in the Manti LDS Temple on February 14, 1964 and lived a full and abundant life in Utah, Minnesota and Nebraska. In September 2018, Virginia was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) which ultimately robbed her of her muscular mobility but her noble spirit remained strong. To that end, she was instrumental in helping people become closer to Christ amidst her suffering.
Virginia had a privileged and happy childhood in Moroni, UT where she attended elementary and high school. She was known as a good and kind student and was ultimately voted Homecoming queen at North Sanpete High School. Her educational aspirations took her to Provo, UT where she met the love of her life in the chemistry lab at Brigham Young University. From there, she began her greatest adventure as a devoted wife of 55-years and mother of seven children. Her love for Blaine was one-of-a-kind and she left no doubt of their continued chemistry with weekly dates and constant commentary about his “sexy grey hair” and “deliciousness.”
Virginia’s love for Blaine was only rivaled by the love for her children whom she considered the jewels of her life. She reveled in motherhood and found true joy in shaping the souls, mending the hearts and forming the character of her children as she raised them in the light and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She instilled in her children work ethic, self-reliance and stewardship with family chores, paper routes, canning and community service. She was a fierce advocate for her children’s education with frequent library trips, neighborhood summer schools and parental involvement in school and homework. She was also a second mother to many friends, neighbors and pets who were always welcomed to a heart and home full of love, food, fun and adventure.
Virginia was known for her incredible creativity and thriftiness in a day and age before Pinterest and could turn common goods into cherished treasures. She blessed the lives of many including 36 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren with her countless quilts, puppets, hot pads, and aprons. She mixed her social life with her social work and never met a person she didn’t love and serve. She was extremely patient and compassionate with the disadvantaged and downtrodden and always found the good in others. She was patriotic and stressed love of country in 15 years of service as a den mother and scout leader in the Boy Scouts of America and was the proud mother of three Eagle Scouts. She was gracious and wrote thousands of thank you cards and was a quintessential food nurturer.
She was a lifelong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her greatest legacy will be her family, faith, love of the Book of Mormon and valiant testimony of Jesus Christ. Her life was defined by the gospel of Jesus Christ in character and deed as she infused her testimony and love of others into all that she did and was. She was a woman without guile and a friend to everyone—especially children. She spent countless hours preparing primary and family home evening lessons and her monthly visiting teaching messages. As a result of her simple and pure faith in the Savior and priesthood power—she experienced numerous miracles including the birth of twins. In many ways, Virginia lived an ordinary life but how she lived was truly extraordinary.
We note the tender and sweet outpouring of love and concern shown by many friends and family members and give special thanks to the doctors, nurses, administrators, and hospice caregivers at the Intermountain Fillmore Hospital for their compassion and care.
She is survived by her husband Blaine of Kanosh, UT; children: Debra (Jim) Lauret , Orem, UT; Sheryl Marlor, Colorado Springs, CO; Colleen (Kurt) Peterson, Pueblo CO; Kenneth (Angela) Blad, Omaha, NE; Stephen (Amy) Blad, Fort Collins, CO; Kirk (Andrea) Blad, Provo, UT; Kerry (Michael) Dorius, Hurricane, UT; siblings: Lola (Paul) Stevens, Moroni, UT; Doris (Kent) Finlinson, St George, UT; Joyce (Karl) Finlinson, Moroni, U; David (Dianne) Blackham, Mt. Pleasant, UT. Preceded in death by her parents, father and mother in-law Carl and Loueda Blad, her oldest brother Robert Blackham, and son-in-law David Marlor. Funeral service Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 3:00 pm in the Kanosh LDS Chapel. Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm both at the Kanosh LDS Church. Interment in the Kanosh cemetery. Online condolence at www.rasmussenmortuary.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider the following: donate to the ALS Association (www.alsa.org) or Boy Scouts of America (www.scouting.org) commit to weekly dates with your spouse, make time for your children or grandchildren, go on a walk and ponder the blessings in your life, write and send a thank you note to someone who has made a difference in your life and/or study and share the Book of Mormon.